A Chemokine Targets the Nucleus: Cxcl12-Gamma Isoform Localizes to the Nucleolus in Adult Mouse Heart

Chemokines are extracellular mediators of complex regulatory circuits involved principally in cell-to-cell communication. Most studies to date of the essential chemokine Cxcl12 (Sdf-1) have focused on the ubiquitously expressed secreted isoforms α and β. Here we show that, unlike these isoforms and all other known chemokines, the alternatively transcribed γ isoform is an intracellular protein that localizes to the nucleolus in differentiated mouse Cardiac tissue. Our results demonstrate that nucleolar transportation is encoded by a nucleolar-localization signal in the unique carboxy-terminal region of Sdf-1γ, and is competent both in vivo and in vitro. The molecular mechanism underlying these unusual chemokine properties involves cardiac-specific transcription of an mRNA containing a unique short-leader sequence lacking the signal peptide and translation from a non-canonical CUG codon. Our results provide an example of genome economy even for essential and highly conserved genes such as Cxcl12, and suggest that chemokines can exert tissue specific functions unrelated to cell-to-cell communication

Repercussions of the COVID-19 lockdown for autistic people in Mexico: The caregivers’ perspective

Introduction. The COVID-19 lockdown has posed new challenges for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including service suspension and reductions in support. Objective. To explore the perspectives of caregivers on the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on people with ASD in Mexico. Method. 126 caregivers from Mexico completed a survey on the impact of lockdown on people with ASD. Results. Suspension of at least one service was reported for 38.9% of subjects, with no significant association being found between symptom worsening and service administration modality. Discussion and conclusion. Service suspension for people with ASD in Mexico has been a side effect of the pandemic, negatively impacting their behavior. Results indicate that certain services could be remotely maintained and provided to individuals with ASD in underserved areas - Introducción. El confinamiento debido a la pandemia por COVID-19 ha implicado nuevos desafíos para las personas con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA), incluyendo la suspensión de algunos servicios, y la disminución de los apoyos. Objetivo. Explorar las perspectivas de los cuidadores acerca de las reper-cusiones del confinamiento por COVID-19 en las personas con TEA en México. Método. 126 cuidadores residentes de México completaron una encuesta acerca del impacto del confinamiento en personas con TEA. Resultados. Aunque el 38.9% de los participantes reportó la suspensión de al menos un servicio de salud tras el confinamiento, no hubo asociaciones significativas entre retroceso y modalidad de administración de los servicios. Discusión y conclusión. La suspensión de servicios a las personas con TEA en México es uno de los efectos secundarios de la pandemia, y afecta negativamente su comportamiento. Los resultados indican que algunos tratamientos pudieran ser mantenidos remotamente y brindar servicios a personas con TEA en zonas de difícil acces

UN CAMBIO EN EL PARADIGMA: UNA REVISIÓN DE LOS ACERCAMIENTOS Y MODELOS PEDAGÓGICOS EN ENFERMERÍA.

This qualitative, exploratory study examined pedagogical models and approaches from the nursing literature to determine evidence of a shift from an instructional to a learning paradigm in baccalaureate nursing education. Learning-centered dimensions, related themes, and implications for nursing education addressed in the pedagogies were also examined. Using content analysis, findings indicated a movement, although not completely, towards a learning-centered paradigm evidenced by a high integration of learning-centered themes in combination with traditional instructional pedagogies.Este estudio cualitativo, de carácter exploratorio, examinó modelos y acercamientos de la bibliografía enfermera para determinar un movimiento evidente desde un paradigma conductista hacia un paradigma de aprendizaje en el Master de Formación en Enfermería. De igual forma, los aspectos centrados en el aprendizaje, diversos temas relacionados con éste y las implicaciones de la formación enfermera en la pedagogía también fueron revisadas. Haciendo un análisis del contenido, los resultados indicaron una inclinación, aunque incompleta, hacia un paradigma centrado en el aprendizaje que se hacía evidente por una alta integración de los temas centrados en el mismo, combinados con la pedagogía instructiva tradicional

INFLUENCE OF BIOLOGICAL SEX ON SOCIAL BEHAVIOR, INDIVIDUAL RECOGNTION, AND NON-ASSOCIATIVE LEARNING IN THE ADULT GRAY SHORT-TAILED OPOSSUM (MONODELPHIS DOMESTICA)

Social behavior is critical for relationship formation and is influenced by myriad environmental and individual factors. Basic and preclinical research typically relies on rodent models to identify the mechanisms that underlie behavior; however, it is important to use non-rodent models as well. A major objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that biological sex and social experience modulate the expression of social behavior in the adult gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica), a non-traditional model. We also investigated the non-associative learning abilities of these animals. Following a period of social isolation, animals of both sexes were paired with a non-familiar, same-sex partner for 10 minutes on three different occasions, with 24-hour inter-trial intervals. We are the first research group to find significant sex differences in submissive and nonsocial behaviors in Monodelphis. Females displayed significantly higher durations of nonsocial behavior that increased over trials. Males were more aggressive; their latencies to the first attack and submissive behavior decreased over trials whereas these latencies increased for females; males’ duration of submissive behavior increased over trials whereas it decreased for females. A different group of subjects habituated in response to repeated presentations to neutral odors and dishabituated in response to novel odors. In addition, both males and females demonstrated the ability to form social memories in a standard individual (social) recognition test. Our results contribute to the characterization of this marsupial species, an important first step in developing it as a model of complex social behaviors

Analytical design and optimization of an automotive rubber bushing

The ride comfort, driving safety, and handling of the vehicle should be designed and tuned to achieve the expectations defined in the company's design. The ideal method of tuning the characteristics of the vehicle is to modify the bushings and mounts used in the chassis system. To deal with the noise, vibration and harshness on automobiles, elastomeric materials in mounts and bushings are determinant in the automotive components design, particularly those related to the suspension system. For most designs, stiffness is a key design parameter. Determination of stiffness is often necessary in order to ensure that excessive forces or deflections do not occur. Many companies use trial and error method to meet the requirements of stiffness curves. Optimization algorithms are an effective solution to this type of design problems. This paper presents a simulation-based methodology to design an automotive bushing with specific characteristic curves. Using an optimum design formulation, a mathematical model is proposed to design and then optimize structural parameters using a genetic algorithm. To validate the resulting data, a finite element analysis (FEA) is carried out with the optimized values. At the end, results between optimization, FEA, and characteristic curves are compared and discussed to establish the correlation among them

Detection Efficiencies and Generalized Breakdown Probabilities for Nanosecond-Gated Near Infrared Single-Photon Avalanche Photodiodes

A rigorous model is developed for determining single-photon quantum efficiency (SPQE) of single-photon avalanche photodiodes (SPADs) with simple or heterojunction multiplication regions. The analysis assumes nanosecond gated-mode operation of the SPADs and that band-to-band tunneling of carriers is the dominant source of dark current in the multiplication region. The model is then utilized to optimize the SPQE as a function of the applied voltage, for a given operating temperature and multiplication-region structure and material. The model can be applied to SPADs with In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As or InP multiplication regions as well as In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As--InP heterojunction multiplication regions for wavelengths of 1.3 and 1.55 /spl mu/m. The predictions show that the SPQE generally decreases with decreasing the multiplication-region thickness. Moreover, an InP multiplication region requires a lower breakdown electric field (and, hence, offers a higher SPQE) than that required by an In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As layer of the same width. The model also shows that the fractional width of the In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As layer in an In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As--InP heterojunction multiplication region can be optimized to attain a maximum SPQE that is greater than that offered by an InP multiplication region. This effect becomes more pronounced in thin multiplication regions as a result of the increased significance of dead space

Life Project for Adolescents: A Concept Analysis

It is essential to identify protective factors during adolescence due to its high incidence on risk behaviors. One of these factors is to have a life project that influences adolescent decision-making. The concept of life project has mainly been linked to teen pregnancy, depression and suicide; however, some authors agree that the concept is not clearly defined. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to define the concept of adolescent life project, using the methodology developed by Walker and Avant for concept analysis. The following steps were followed are: select a concept, determining the purpose of analysis, identifying all uses of the concept, determining the defining attributes, identifying a model, a borderline and a contrary cases, identifying history and consequences of the concept, and finally defining empirical referents. After the analysis, the final definition of the concept of adolescent life project includes the set of desires, future plans and actions necessary to accomplish it that influence the adolescent decisions. Knowing the importance of this concept when working with adolescents may guide development more effective interventions

Efectividad del aceite esencial de orégano mexicano de República Dominicana (Lippia graveolens) contra plagas del maíz (Sitophilus zeamais y Fusarium verticillioides)

The insecticidal and antifungal properties of Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) essential oil from the Dominican Republic were investigated under laboratory conditions against two main pests of stored grains: Sitophilus zeamais and Fusarium verticillioides. Although oregano essential oil at 600 ?l/l air did not result in a significant mortality of S. zeamais after 24 hours of exposure by fumigation, this essential oil was a powerful acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor in vitro. One of the main components of oregano essential oil, p-cymene, presented fumigant toxicity and AChE inhibition activity against the maize weevil. The L. graveolens essential oil antifungal activity against F. verticillioides was evaluated at 50, 100 and 200 ?l/l, and it was found that growth parameters were affected by the presence of oregano essential oil in the media, whereas FB1 production was not inhibited. The results demonstrate that oregano essential oil and p-cymene can be used as alternatives to synthetic pesticides against F. verticillioides and S. zeamais, respectively.Se estudiaron en condiciones de laboratorio las propiedades insecticidas y fungicidas del aceite esencial de orégano mexicano (Lippia graveolens) de República Dominicana contra dos plagas principales de granos almacenados: Sitophilus zeamais y Fusarium verticillioides. Aunque el aceite esencial de orégano a 600 ?l/l de aire no resultó en una mortalidad significativa de S. zeamais después de 24 horas de exposición a la fumigación, fue un potente inhibidor de la acetilcolinesterasa (AChE) in vitro. El p-cimeno, uno de los principales componentes del aceite esencial, presentó actividad fumigante y de inhibición de la AChE contra el gorgojo del maíz. Además se evaluó la actividad antifúngica frente a F. verticillioides a 50, 100 y 200 ?l/l y se encontró que los parámetros de crecimiento del hongo fueron afectados por la presencia del aceite esencial de orégano en el medio, mientras que la producción de fumonisina B1 (FB1) no se inhibió. Los resultados demuestran que el aceite esencial de orégano y el p-cimeno se pueden usar como alternativas a los pesticidas sintéticos contra F. verticillioides y S. zeamais, respectivamente

Factores de riesgo asociados a la seroprevalencia de lentivirus en rebaños ovinos y caprinos del noreste de México

A cross-sectional study was conducted with the purpose of determinate the risk factors associated with the serological frequency of small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) in sheep and goats from northeastern Mexico. From 128 herds, 71 of goats, 32 of sheep and 25 mixed herds (goats + sheep), 768 individual sera were collected from animals ≥1 yr old. From each herd, 4 to 5 serum samples were mixed and analyzed by ELISA to identify antibodies against SRLV glycoprotein 135. Samples were obtained from randomly selected animals in 2019 and 2020. A questionnaire was applied to the producers and the data were analyzed to determine the risk factors associated with herd seropositivity by logistic regression. The proportion of seropositive herds, overall, was estimated at 50.6 %. According to the type of herd, seropositivity in goat herds was 62.0 %, in sheep herds 25.4 % and 50.2 % in mixed herds. The risk factors associated with the presence of antibodies against SRLV were the presence of animals with arthritis, veterinary care, reuse of needles, nerve alterations, low pregnancy rate, type of herd and mastitis. Serological frequency indicates a high endemicity of SRLV in small ruminant herds from northeastern Mexico.Se realizó un estudio transversal con el propósito de determinar los factores de riesgo asociados a la frecuencia serológica de Lentivirus de los pequeños rumiantes (LvPR) en ovinos y caprinos del noreste de México. De 128 rebaños, 71 de caprinos, 32 de ovinos y 25 mixtos (caprinos + ovinos), se recolectaron 768 sueros individuales de animales ≥1 año de edad. De cada rebaño 4 a 5 muestras de suero fueron mezcladas y analizadas por ELISA para identificar anticuerpos contra la glucoproteína 135 del LvPR. Las muestras se obtuvieron de animales seleccionados al azar en los años 2019 y 2020. Se aplicó un cuestionario a los productores y los datos se analizaron para determinar los factores de riesgo asociados a la seropositividad del rebaño mediante regresión logística. La proporción de rebaños seropositivos en general fue estimada en 50.6 %. Acorde al tipo de rebaño la seropositividad en rebaños caprinos fue de 62.0 %, en ovinos de 25.4 % y de 50.2 % en rebaños mixtos. Los factores de riesgo asociados a la presencia de anticuerpos contra el LvPR fueron presencia de animales con artritis, asistencia veterinaria, reutilizar agujas, alteraciones nerviosas, bajo índice de preñez, tipo de rebaño y mastitis. La frecuencia serológica indica una alta endemicidad del LvPR en rebaños de pequeños rumiantes del noreste de México